Celebrating Half a Century of Our Brand's Distinctive Symbol
The iconic "slash in a square" logo, synonymous with Deutsche Bank, has been a globally unmistakable trademark of the financial institution since 1974. This minimalist emblem, a masterpiece of graphic design, was the winning entry in a competition initiated by Deutsche Bank in the early 1970s.
The competition, driven by the need to evolve the bank's image as it began to build an international presence, attracted 140 different entries. Among the contestants was Anton Stankowski, a pioneer of graphic design and a master of constructivism, who passed away in 1998. His design, titled "Slash in a square," was the winning entry.
Stankowski's design, presented to the public at the annual press conference of the bank, features a blue square with a 53-degree diagonal slash running through it. The slash, symbolizing dynamic growth within a stable and secure environment, reflects the bank's core values of trust and modernity.
The design's simplicity conveys complexity, serving as a powerful visual metaphor for the bank's forward-thinking approach, innovation, and adaptability. The logo's blue and white color scheme represents loyalty, trust, and transparency—key attributes associated with Deutsche Bank. The slash's diagonal line cutting through the square emphasizes progression and growth within stability, making the emblem easily recognizable without any lettering.
The new logo, first appearing in an advert on April 25, 1974, in several major daily newspapers, has remained a consistent symbol for Deutsche Bank since its introduction. It represents the bank's long-standing reputation for reliability, excellence, and stability in the global financial industry.
Initially, the slash in the square logo was primarily interpreted as a symbol of dynamic growth in a secure environment. Over the years, the interpretation has evolved, but the logo's enduring appeal remains. As Deutsche Bank continues to evolve and adapt, the "slash in a square" logo remains a testament to the bank's rich history and commitment to innovation.
[1] Deutsche Bank. (n.d.). History. Retrieved from https://www.db.com/en/investor-relations/history.html [2] Deutsche Bank. (n.d.). Our Brand. Retrieved from https://www.db.com/en/aboutus/brand.html [5] Deutsche Bank. (n.d.). Corporate Design. Retrieved from https://www.db.com/en/aboutus/corporate-design.html
- Transforming the bank's image, Anton Stankowski's 'Slash in a square' design, a home-and-garden aesthetic, was the winning entry in a competition initiated by Deutsche Bank.
- The new logo, featuring a blue square with a diagonal slash, effectively encapsulates Deutsche Bank's lifestyle values of trust, modernity, reliability, and growth within stability, making it a globally unmistakable trademark.
